Vicky Foxcroft comments on the latest ONS data on Coronavirus related deaths showing Disabled People account for 59% of all COVID-19 deaths

Vicky Foxcroft MP, Shadow Minister for Disabled People commenting on the latest ONS data on Coronavirus related deaths showing Disabled People account for 59% of all COVID-19 deaths, said:

“These heartbreaking figures show how urgent it is for the Government to listen to disabled people and act on what they say.

“Ministers must urgently review the steps they are taking to protect disabled people, especially in light of a potential second spike.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

• Disabled people (as defined) made up almost 6 in 10 (59%) of all deaths involving COVID-19 in this period; disabled people made up around 16% of the study population followed from the 2011 Census.
• Among all deaths involving COVID-19 of males aged 9 to 64 years in this period, the proportion made up by disabled people (those limited a little or limited a lot in their day-to-day activities) was smallest at 39%.
• Among all deaths involving COVID-19 of females aged 65 years and over in this period, the proportion made up by disabled people was largest, at 67% of these deaths.

• Disabled males whose activities were limited a lot at the 2011 Census had an overall age-standardised rate of death involving COVID-19 of 240.8 deaths per 100,000; for disabled females, the rate was 169.9 deaths per 100,000; the equivalent rates for males and females who were non-disabled in 2011 were 84.2 and 44.4 deaths per 100,000 respectively.
• Source: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/coronaviruscovid19relateddeathsbydisabilitystatusenglandandwales/2marchto14july2020